Treatment of Meningitis
Meningitis is the inflammation of the membrane meninges, which is a protective covering over the brain and the spinal cord. The inflammation of meninges usually happens due to some infection – viral, bacterial, or fungal. Sometimes, though less commonly, the inflammation may also be due to the effect of certain drugs.
Signs and Symptoms of Meningitis
The signs and symptoms of meningitis are very much like common flu, and are often mistaken for it. Here are some of the symptoms that of meningitis that you are likely to observe: high fever, nausea, headache, seizures, stiff neck, loss of appetite, drowsiness, confusion, lack of concentration, and skin rashes. If a newborn baby is affected by meningitis, you’ll notice that the child cries more than usual, sleeps less, eats less, and becomes more irritable. A meningitis-affected child, additionally, may show a soft spot on the head and stiffness in the body and neck. If any of these symptoms are seen, it is better to consult a doctor and ask for proper medical treatment. A delay in treatment, especially if it is a bacterial infection, can complicate things quickly and can prove fatal. And without proper diagnosis by a doctor it cannot be ascertained whether it is a bacterial meningitis, viral meningitis, or fungal meningitis. It is therefore absolutely imperative to start immediate medical treatment in consultation with a doctor when you suspect meningitis from the symptoms.
Treatment for Bacterial Meningitis
Treatment of bacterial meningitis requires a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics have to be administered under strict supervision of a doctor. Also, sometimes, surgical method maybe required to drain out the accumulated fluid from the head of a child. It is advisable not to rely on any home remedies for bacterial meningitis. Treatment of viral meningitis and fungal meningitis, on the other hand, may not require medication; in most cases, they get better on their own in due time, usually in a week or two. For mild cases of viral and fungal meningitis, you can also use some of the following home remedial methods:
• Take rest and drink plenty of liquids: Give your body proper rest and drink adequate amount of water throughout the day. Besides plain water, you can also drink fruit juices, lemonades, and watery soups. Lemon juice, lime juice, and other citrus juices are especially recommended.
• Drink a mixture of soya bean milk with honey: Mix one cup of soya bean milk with a spoonful of honey and drink every night before going to bed.
• Take garlic: Garlic is known to help fight infections, so introduce garlic in your diet. You can also eat garlic cloves 3-4 times a day until the symptoms of meningitis subsides.
